Space 4x

[Jacob]

I'm in the mood for some space 4x gaming, but I haven't really followed the space (ahem) for a while. I know I had a great time with Masters of Orion years back; and I'm pretty sure that I'm not quite up for ramping up on another Paradox game right now so Stellaris is probably out.

Is there anything out there taking place in a Dune/ 40K / Fading Suns type setting (i.e. multiple human factions instead of aliens)? Not that that's a requirement, but it'd be cool.

Any recommendations? Even more bonus points (even if unlikely) if playable on a steam deck...

[mongers]

I'm in the mood for some space 4x gaming, but I haven't really followed the space (ahem) for a while. I know I had a great time with Masters of Orion years back; and I'm pretty sure that I'm not quite up for ramping up on another Paradox game right now so Stellaris is probably out.

Is there anything out there taking place in a Dune/ 40K / Fading Suns type setting (i.e. multiple human factions instead of aliens)? Not that that's a requirement, but it'd be cool.

Any recommendations? Even more bonus points (even if unlikely) if playable on a steam deck...

Doesn't the Endless Space game meet those requirements, iirc the 20-30 hours I had on it, played like that?

[crazy canuck]

Endless space is aliens, with one human faction.

But it is fun.  Just don't get the last DLC.

[Syt]

Fading Suns got a big patch for its 20th anniversary if that's your mood.

For something against the grain, there's Stellar Monarch II in which you manage your star empire and try to manage internal struggles while expanding. More of a board game feel, though.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1437750/Stellar_Monarch_2/

And of course Star Dynasties. Kind of like CK in space, but with more of a focus on assigning characters to tasks etc. than personal interactions. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1194590/Star_Dynasties/

[Syt]

Addendum: Chaos Galaxy I & II is kind of a Romance of the Three Kingdoms type game in space.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1184840/Chaos_Galaxy/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1537910/Chaos_Galaxy_2/

[Syt]

Digging a bit through Steam, there's also Solar Nations II, which is I guess kinds EU in the solar system? It looks fairly dense, though https://store.steampowered.com/app/2275440/Solar_Nations_2/

[dist]

Haven't seen any games that ticks these boxes in a while. Your wishlist somehow reminds of Sins of a Solar Empire, which I had very much liked at the time, but the game had its own peculiar quirks and I'm not sure it's for everyone.

The second opus was released last year, but I haven't looked at it and I don't know how much they changed mechanics compared to the first. Das Tactics made a video about it recently if you want to look into it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyU7CcvZDTU

Otherwise, I have recently played Distant Worlds 2. It is quite good, but it has aliens. That said, you can probably set it to only have human factions. The tempo is different than usual 4X games and you can choose your level of micro-management as many tasks can be automated. Your budget also depends a lot on how much your private economy spend in your shipyard which is rather rare.

Otherwise, I would recommend Shadow Empire. But it's science fiction 4X, not a space 4X. The game lets you play a major faction battling to take control of a decivilized planet, while also having to deal with aggressive local faunas and independant factions. I wish I had more time to play that one.

Incidentally, these are all games that have been well covered by Das Tactics.

[crazy canuck]

I am glad you mentioned Shadow Empire.  I still think it is the best strategy game ever made.

[frunk]

For something against the grain, there's Stellar Monarch II in which you manage your star empire and try to manage internal struggles while expanding. More of a board game feel, though.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1437750/Stellar_Monarch_2/

Looks interesting.  Thanks for the recommendation.

[crazy canuck]

Digging a bit through Steam, there's also Solar Nations II, which is I guess kinds EU in the solar system? It looks fairly dense, though https://store.steampowered.com/app/2275440/Solar_Nations_2/

Damn you, damn you to hell.  I downloaded this yesterday evening, and didn't get to bed until well after midnight 

edit Oops, I meant the Stellar Monarch II game.

[viper37]

I'm in the mood for some space 4x gaming, but I haven't really followed the space (ahem) for a while. I know I had a great time with Masters of Orion years back; and I'm pretty sure that I'm not quite up for ramping up on another Paradox game right now so Stellaris is probably out.

Is there anything out there taking place in a Dune/ 40K / Fading Suns type setting (i.e. multiple human factions instead of aliens)? Not that that's a requirement, but it'd be cool.

Any recommendations? Even more bonus points (even if unlikely) if playable on a steam deck...

Galactic Civilizations III or IV, but not in Dune universe.

[Syt]

Digging a bit through Steam, there's also Solar Nations II, which is I guess kinds EU in the solar system? It looks fairly dense, though https://store.steampowered.com/app/2275440/Solar_Nations_2/

Damn you, damn you to hell.  I downloaded this yesterday evening, and didn't get to bed until well after midnight 

edit Oops, I meant the Stellar Monarch II game.

[dist]

Galactic Civilizations III or IV, but not in Dune universe.

I stopped at GalCiv I   As much as I love the first, I couldn't get into the follow ups.

If Jacob wants a throwback, he can also try to find SpaceWard Ho! It was a lot of fun for 10 year old me. Found out decades later that some people had kept the game alive. It's basic, but it still scratch that hitch for me

[viper37]

I loved II and III.  IV is buggy for me so I can't finish my game.

[Tamas]

IV is much better than iii or II IMHO. But there is something about the galciv format that kind of exhaust me, I am not sure.